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Bingo business not feasible for the Town By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF If Oakville's last bingo hall, Oakville Delta Bingo, closes its doors Oct. 31 as expected, the Town probably won't be the one to supply local charities with a new bingo venue. In a report to Oakville's Administrative Services Committee, Tuesday, Town staff said there are too many restrictions in place to make it feasible for bingo games to be conducted out of municipally-owned facilities. Council had asked staff to explore the possibility of a Town-run bingo hall after the owner of Oakville Delta Bingo, Cam Johnstone last month announced the businesses' impending closure. Thirty-four local charities use the Oakville Delta Bingo Hall on Speers Road. Johnstone said these charities raise upwards of $750,000 in revenue there annually. In a report to the committee, Town's Assistant Clerk Phil Bouillon said Oakville Delta Bingo is classified as a pooling bingo hall, which means the charities operating there are allowed to pool the revenues generated from all bingo events and re-distribute them equally. That way a charity is assured of making money even though it may have hosted events that lost money. Under provincial law, a bingo hall operating out of a Town facility would have to be a nonpooling bingo hall and charities using it could not share revenue. "They stand or fall on the luck of the draw. No pun intended," said Bouillon. "It's a gamble. If you advertise and get the audience, you make money, if you don't, you can't depend on any other organization to assist you in terms of revenue." Bouillon said the Town would also face a registration process of up to two years to use one of its buildings as a bingo hall -- and even then it may not win approval. If a Town facility did get a green light, it 3 · Friday, October 26, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com "They stand or fall on the luck of the draw. No pun intended." Phil Bouillon, assistant clerk, Town of Oakville would likely be limited to one event a week and a maximum prize of $5,500. This is in stark contrast to a bingo hall like Oakville Delta Bingo, which is permitted to offer multiple gaming options per week and award prizes in excess of $100,000. "If the local bingo hall does close and the Town offers its own facilities as venues for bingo events, it is possible that more than one event could be held during a seven day period, but only if different locations were used," stated Bouillon in his report. "However, it is highly unlikely that such ven- ues would ever be able to compete and draw regular bingo players away from pooling bingo halls in adjacent towns and cities." The report outlined that if bingo was held in Town facilities it may no longer be practical for the Town to charge charities $165 for a bingo lottery licence with a prize board of $5,500 as there is very little chance the charity would raise enough cash to pay the fee. Johnstone blames Oakville Delta Bingo's closure on the Town of Oakville's decision to hold off on signing the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation's (OLG) Charitable Gaming Centre Agreement (CGCMA). The delay prevents the introduction of e-bingo, which Johnstone said would revitalize his business. Councillors have voiced concerns about the agreement, stating the existing language could allow the introduction of slot machines and Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) without Town input. All you need. The Chisel Toe available in Brown, Black and Crazy Horse Brown DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN means... Reassuring appointments geared to your child's self-esteem and confidence ... THE WHOLE CHILD FIRST Conservative treatment of dental cavities. Bottle cavities treatment and oral habits management. ...A NON TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. ... WHEN, WHY AND HOW **************** **************** **************** Topical fluorides and preventive fissure sealants ... A CAVITY-FREE GENERATION Guidance of the emerging teeth with early interceptive orthodontics ... HELPING FACES GROW Certified Specialist in Paediatric Dentistry DR KENNETH HUNE www.hunekayedental.com $ 213 Lakeshore Road East Downtown Oakville 500 OFF Valid until Oct 31st only. HUNE KAYE DENTAL GROUP 1540 North Service Rd. West. 3rd. Line & QEW (Tim Hortons Plaza) Oakville, Ontario, L6M4A1 NEW FAMILIES WELCOME (905) 339-Foot (3668) Open Tues.-Sun. | Closed Mon. Must bring coupon to Oakville Store to redeem offer. OB192012 905-844-0872 ent Excell e servic since 1993 We Are Licenced by MTO OCTOBER SPECIAL NEW PROGRAMS EVENING NOV. 12 WEEKENDS OCT. 27 & NOV. 3 NOV. 10 & NOV. 17 Valid for defensive driving programs only $520 + HST BONUS: PAY ON-LINE AND RECEIVE FREE USE OF CAR FOR ROAD TEST (ADVANCED PROGRAM ONLY) DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, LET US HELP YOU EARN IT 905-825-1172 407 Speers Road Suite 213